LAW KUMAR MISHRA
PATNA/Ranchi : President,Mrs Draupadi Murmu on Wednesday expressed her concern over the large number of poor prisoners languishing in jails as they could not find surety and financial support .She appealed to the chief justice of India on the issue.
Inaugurating the largest High Court building of the country_ Jharkhand HIgh Court at Ranchi,Mrs Murmu said indian prisons are overcrowded,their conditions are bad,inmates staying there are in inhospitable conditions.
She also raised the issue of denial of relief even after orders of the High Courts and Supreme Courts and suggested changes in the law of contempt to enforce their orders.
Chief Justice of India,D Y Chandrachud who was the guest of honour agreed with the President and admitted for petty offences,many are jailed for years even before convicton.They have neither resources nor money to get out of jail .They are illiterates.Courts have duties to instill confidence of judiciary to these prisoners.There should be adequate facilities in the district courts,CJI said and regretted there were no toilets for women in the district courts.
Union Law and Justice Minister,Arjun Ram Meghwal,told the President,in the union budget,Finance Minister has made budgetary provisions for financial and legal assistance to the poor prisoners to facilitate them to furnish bonds and penalty money.He suggested local language use in the courts proceedings.
Jharkhand chief minister,Hemant Soren ,demanded reservations for tribal candidates in the appointment of higher judiciary.
The new court building has been constructed in an area of 165 acres with a cost of Rs 600 crores.Supreme Court of India is spread in 22 acres.
Earlier,,President offered prayers at famous Baidyanath Dham temple at Deoghar.